Tuesday, 11 February 2014

Sorry I've not posted for so long. A recent shoulder injury has meant I've been unable to crochet or type, and I'm just about getting on top of everything again.

It's rather overdue, but here at last is the pattern for the little jacket mentioned in my previous post (where you'll find a pattern for a toy dress). I've also made some more, very simple clothes for a doll, teddy or rabbit. These are ideal stash-busters too. For some of the items I'm giving instructions rather than an actual pattern, so that you can easily adjust each item to the size required. The main stitch used is dc (tr in UK terms). This stitch isn't what I'd use for amigurumi, but for doll's clothes it is fine, and it makes them very quick to make.

The jacket pattern is based on the pattern I used for the baby cardigans I blogged about here, for which the pattern is available here. However, as this is for dolls, the whole thing is a lot smaller. I have included instructions for two sizes, and you can again alter them by using thicker or thinner yarns, larger or smaller hooks. Once you get the idea of how the jacket is constructed, you can make it in several sizes, and alter the length, the borders, and so on.

Here's the pattern. This little jacket is made from the top down.

Smaller size (underarm measurement 28 cm) -

Ch 27.
1 dc in 3rd ch from hook, 1 dc in next 2ch. 3 dc in next ch. 1 dc in next 4 ch. 3 dc in next ch. 1 dc in next 6 ch. 3 dc in next ch. 1 dc in next 4 ch. 3 dc in next ch. 1 dc in next 4 ch to end. Turn.

For the next 3 rows, you will gradually increase and shape the top of the jacket as follows:

ch3 (replaces 1st dc). 1 dc in each st, but work 3 dc in the centre stitch of each 3 dc group, to the end of the row. Turn.

Next row:

xh 3 (replaces 1st dc). 1 dc in each stitch until you reach the centre stitch of the 3 dc group. Skip to next 3dc group, work 1 dc in centre stitch of that group, then continue 1 dc in each stitch to the centre stitch of the following 3dc group. Skip to next 3dc group, work 1 dc in centre stitch of that group, then continue to end. Turn.

Continue working straight until the jacket is as long as you wish it to be. You may like to add an extra row at the bottom to make it flare out a bit. To do this, just work 1 dc in first st, 2 dc in next st, to end.

Now work a row of sc along the front borders and the neckline. Sew a button close to the neckline. You don't need to make a button hole, just use a gap between the stitches.

Larger size (underarm measurement 32 cm)

The larger size is made the same way, just starting with a longer starting chain and altering the first row as follows:

Ch 35.

1 dc in 3rd ch from hook, 1 dc in next 3 ch. 3 dc in next ch. 1 dc in next 5 ch. 3 dc in next ch. 1 dc in next 10 ch. 3 dc in next ch. 1 dc in next 5 ch. 3 dc in next ch. 1 dc in next 5 ch to end. Turn.

You should also increase for 4 rows before starting on the straight part.

Trousers

This pattern for doll's trousers is very simple. You just make two identical pieces and sew them together, adding a "waistband" at the end. You can easily adjust the pattern to fit your doll or other toy.

Start by making a chain the approximate required length of the trousers. Then work in rows of dc until you obtain a rectangle that is wide enough to fit around your doll's leg easily. Next work one row of dc, but stopping about half-way down the leg, then another row if dc (or more, or less, depending on the size of your doll), still finishing half-way down. This makes the gusset. Finish off.

Make a second identical piece.

Now fold your pieces with the gusset piece at the top, and place them so that one gusset piece is in front and the other at the back. They should look like a piar of trousers! Sew the two pieces together, making sure you obtain the trouser shape.

To make the waistband, attach the yarn to the top, and work 1 dc, 1 ch around the top. Weave a ribbon through the waistband and pull to fit.

Hat

The hat is newsboy style. You can easily adjust it to fit your doll by adding extra increase rows.

In a magic circle, ch 3 and 14 dc into the circle. Ss to top of first st. Turn

Ch 3, 2 dc in each st. Turn.

Ch 3, 1 dc in next st, 2 dc in next st, around. Turn.

Ch 3, 1 dc in each st around. Turn.

Work 2 more rows of dc, turning at the end of each row.

Work 2 rows of sc, without turning.

Work 1 row of sc, decreasing every 5 stitches or whatever is necessary to reach the size required.

Make the brim: ch 2, 1 dc in next 16 sts, 1 hdc in next st. Fasten off.

I hope you enjoy making these simple items. Feel free to embellish and alter them to your taste!

About Me

Hello and welcome to my blog. It's nice of you to pass by and if you feel like it, do leave me a little comment so this blog thingy can be a two-way communication, and I don't have the feeling that I'm blabbing on and nobody's listening.
I try to juggle a full-time job in communications, living life to the full with my family and enjoying crafts and cooking in my free time.
It's my sister Liz who taught me how to crochet when I was about 10 years old, and in March 2010, while recovering from surgery and thus with a bit more free time on my hands, I discovered amigurumi, Japanese for "crochet soft animals" and I've not stopped since! I also sew a bit, mostly making soft toys, which I offer as gifts to friends and family. My other interests are cooking, reading, learning, walking, crafting, and sharing my thoughts here on my blog.